[was-an-M]

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/04/ford-free-brake-pad-offer/

Think they'd honor it if I come in 2 days later with just backing plates?

 

[[email protected]]

Um, pretty sure no.

Not a bad deal really although these days pads and rotors have about the same lifespan in normal use and they're only covering pads so you come in and get free pads, buy rotors and pay labor.

-Steve

 

[djdennehy]

I am going to have to mention this next time I drive by the dealership...

 

[reddog99]

Call me cynical, but this looks to me to be just an opportunity for the dealer the jack up the labor charge to cover the "free" pads. As my pappy always said, "You don't get nuthin for nuthin.". Regardless, it doesn't affect me. I always do my own work whenever possible, and given the commute I drive, my pads will likely last 125,000 miles or more.

 

[eRic]

free brake pads for my Fiesta ST? yes please. They used stock brake pads on the Fiesta ST at ST Octane Academy and they worked great!

 

[[email protected]]

Call me cynical, but this looks to me to be just an opportunity for the dealer the jack up the labor charge to cover the "free" pads. As my pappy always said, "You don't get nuthin for nuthin.". Regardless, it doesn't affect me. I always do my own work whenever possible, and given the commute I drive, my pads will likely last 125,000 miles or more.

Not a chance, shop labor rate is based on published book time and the dealership labor charge is also public knowledge although it can vary from dealer to dealer.

What this does is it gets the car in and gives the dealer a chance to upsell other maintenance items that are found when the cars is inspected. Not any different than what they do when you come in for an oil change. No one can force you to have any extra work done and some people may not like being upsold but in all honesty the vast majority of people out there would never know about issues with their car if it wasn't for these inspections.

Just last Sunday a friend of my wifes came by so I could look at her A/C and on the test drive I noticed the brakes felt funny so we pulled the wheels and sure enough she had about 1mm of pad left on both inner front pads, I actually bought and installed pads for her because she couldn't afford them but I also couldn't let her drive away like that.

-Steve

 

[reddog99]

You got that right. I once replaced the brakes on my girlfriend's car, and about three weeks later she took it to a dealer to get the oil changed. On the inspection report she received was a note that the brakes were worn and needed replacement!
They prey on the ignorant, so the ignorant better pray...

 

[[email protected]]

Don't forget that all dealer service departments and personnel are not created equal, it is sad that those sorts of things happen.